Portable game assembly and methods for play

ABSTRACT

A portable tower assembly for use in ball throwing games includes a three or more connected panels, each panel having a top end, a bottom end, and two lateral edges. The three or more connected panels form an enclosure having an interior space, wherein a different number of apertures are formed on each respective outer face of the panels, and wherein a width of each of said three or more connected panels tapers in decreasing width from said respective bottom end to said top end. The panels are connected via the mating of T-shaped male tabs formed on the lateral edges of one or more panels, with correspondingly shaped and sized female slots formed on the interior surfaces of adjacent panels.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to assemblies for use in games, and more specifically to a portable tower assembly having a plurality of panels with apertures of varying sizes formed thereon, and which is configured to allow two or more players to utilize a variety of methods for playing easy-to-learn ball throwing games.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be more fully understood by reference to the following detailed description of the preferred and alternate embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of first and second outer panels of an embodiment of a tower assembly for use in ball throwing games;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of first and fourth outer panels of the embodiment of the tower assembly for use in ball throwing games depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of third and fourth outer panels of the embodiment of the tower assembly for use in ball throwing games depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the embodiment of the tower assembly for use in ball throwing games depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the embodiment of the tower assembly for use in ball throwing games depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a logic flow diagram illustrating one method of playing a ball throwing game in conjunction with the tower assembly described herein;

FIG. 7 is a logic flow diagram illustrating an alternative method of playing a ball throwing game in conjunction with the tower assembly described herein;

FIG. 8 is a logic flow diagram illustrating a further alternative method of playing a ball throwing game in conjunction with the tower assembly described herein;

FIG. 9 is a logic flow diagram illustrating a further alternative method of playing a ball throwing game in conjunction with the tower assembly described herein;

FIG. 10 are perspective and detailed views of the interior surfaces of the unassembled first and second panels of a further alternate embodiment of a tower assembly for use in ball throwing games;

FIG. 11 are front views of the exterior surfaces of the unassembled first panel, second panel, third panel, and fourth panel of the further alternate embodiment of a tower assembly for use in ball throwing games as partially illustrated in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a front view of a second outer panel of the further alternate embodiment of an assembled tower assembly for use in ball throwing games as depicted in FIGS. 10-11;

FIG. 13 is a rear view of a fourth outer panel of the further alternate embodiment of an assembled tower assembly for use in ball throwing games as depicted in FIGS. 10-11;

FIG. 14 is a first side view of a first outer panel of the further alternate embodiment of an assembled tower assembly for use in ball throwing games as depicted in FIGS. 10-11;

FIG. 15 is a second side view of a third outer panel of the further alternate embodiment of an assembled tower assembly for use in ball throwing games as depicted in FIGS. 10-11;

FIG. 16 is a top view of the further alternate embodiment of an assembled tower assembly for use in ball throwing games as depicted in FIGS. 10-11;

FIG. 17 is a bottom view of the further alternate embodiment of an assembled tower assembly for use in ball throwing games as depicted in FIGS. 10-11;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the fourth and third panels of the further alternate embodiment of an assembled tower assembly for use in ball throwing games as depicted in FIGS. 10-11; and

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the second and first panels the further alternate embodiment of an assembled tower assembly for use in ball throwing games as depicted in FIGS. 10-11.

The above figures are provided for the purpose of illustration and description only, and are not intended to define the limits of the disclosed invention. Use of the same reference number in multiple figures is intended to designate the same or similar parts. Furthermore, if and when the terms “top,” “bottom,” “first,” “second,” “upper,” “lower,” “height,” “width,” “length,” “end,” “side,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” and similar terms are used herein, it should be understood that these terms have reference only to the structure shown in the drawing and are utilized only to facilitate describing the particular embodiment. The extension of the figures with respect to number, position, relationship, and dimensions of the parts to form the preferred embodiment will be explained or will be within the skill of the art after the following teachings of the present invention have been read and understood.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Several exemplary embodiments of the claimed invention(s) will now be described with reference to the drawings. Unless otherwise noted, like elements will be identified by identical numbers throughout all figures. The invention(s) illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element that is not specifically disclosed herein. The following description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of describing the general principles of exemplary embodiments. The scope of the invention(s) should be determined with reference to the claims. Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the inventions disclosed herein. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of device structures, methods of use of the devices, etc., to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention(s). One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention(s).

A novel portable tower assembly for use in playing novel ball throwing games is disclosed herein. It should be noted that while the exemplary embodiments of the inventions as described herein are associated with methods for playing various ball throwing games intended to be played by two or more persons, the same principles discussed herein could be implemented in connection with other methods of game play not described herein, including games that may be played by a solitary player.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a perspective view of first and second outer panels of an embodiment of a tower assembly for use in ball throwing games is shown. In one embodiment, the portable tower assembly body (101) has a roughly pyramidal shape with a flat top end (106) formed by the junction of the top edges (see FIG. 4 at 111) of the panels of the tower assembly, said top end being relatively narrower as compared to a wider bottom end (108) of the tower assembly that is intended to rest on the ground or other playing surface. In one embodiment, the tower assembly is hollow, with the flat top end (106) having a top opening (110) to a cavity defined by the respective inner surfaces (see FIG. 5 at 130) of a plurality of panels of the tower assembly. The bottom end (108) of the tower assembly, comprised by the junction of the bottom edges of the panels of the tower assembly, is also open-ended in one embodiment. The bottom end of the embodiment of the tower assembly, as depicted in FIG. 1, has multiple feet (114) structures, each foot (114) formed by the junction of lower portions of two adjacent panels of the tower assembly. In one embodiment of the tower assembly, the lower portions of the panels of the tower assembly have a portion along the lower edge that is raised as shown at 108. In one embodiment, one or more handle slots (112) are formed on the upper portions of one or more of the panels of the tower assembly, said handle slots (112) being conveniently shaped to permit a user to lift or carry the tower assembly in its deployed or collapsed configuration. In its deployed configuration, which is depicted in the drawings appearing herein, the tower assembly is ready for game play by one or more users.

In one embodiment, the tower assembly includes one or more hinges (not shown) attached to the junction of adjacent panels of the tower assembly such that the hinged panels may fold upon one another, thereby allowing the panels of the tower assembly to collapse for transporting or storing the tower assembly. In alternate embodiments of the tower assembly, instead of utilizing hinges to provide for the collapsible nature of the tower assembly, the panels of the tower assembly may be joined together by a flexible material, such as a flexible polymer strip, which permits the panels joined by such flexible material to fold on to one another, thus allowing the panels of the tower assembly to collapse for transportation or storage. While it is contemplated that the tower assembly be configured to collapse to facilitate the transportation and storage of the tower assembly, some alternate embodiments of the tower assembly may be configured not collapse, but rather remain in a predetermined tower configuration. In other alternate embodiments, that tower assembly may be constructed of a plurality of collapsible poles, the poles configured to telescopically extend and collapse similar to tripod/tent poles, such poles having fabric materials with sleeves through which the poles extend such that when the poles are extended, the fabric materials will span between the poles (arranged to stand in a roughly pyramidal shape) to provide the panels of the tower assembly. In some embodiments, such as the embodiment shown and described herein, the tower assembly has a roughly pyramidal shape, with slanting panels, when in a deployed configuration. In alternate embodiments of the tower assembly, the panels may be slanted at various angles other than what is depicted in the drawings, or may even in other alternate embodiments comprise vertically oriented panels when in a deployed (standing) configuration. While the embodiments of the tower assembly depicted here are constructed of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), it is contemplated that alternate embodiments of the tower assembly may be constructed of other materials such as other types of polymers, metals, woods, alloys, carbon fiber, fabrics (with metal or polymer poles as described above), and other materials having sufficient rigidity/durability to allow the tower assembly to stand freely by itself, and having sufficient corrosion resistance properties for use of the tower assembly in an outside environment.

Still referring to FIG. 1, the tower assembly (101) in one embodiment comprises four panels, including a first panel (104) and a second panel (102) depicted in this view. The lateral edges (120) of the panels of the tower assembly are joined to the lateral edges of the adjacent lateral panels. As discussed above, the lateral edges of the panels of the tower assembly may be joined in such a way (via hinge(s), flexible polymer material, etc.) to permit the panels to fold into one another such that the tower assembly can collapse for transportation and storage. In alternate embodiments, the lateral edges of the tower assembly may be joined in such a way such as, for example, via rigid connection points, that folding of the panels will not occur with the application of forces on the structure of the tower assembly that are typically experienced in gameplay, transportation, and storage of said tower assembly.

Still referring to FIG. 1, in one embodiment, one or more apertures are formed on each panel of the tower assembly, such one or more apertures serving as targets through which a user may throw one or more balls or other objects as part of the games described in more detail below. In one embodiment of the tower assembly, a first panel (104) of the tower assembly has one circular aperture (116) formed on an outer face thereof, and a second panel (102) of the tower assembly has two smaller circular apertures (118) formed on outer faces thereof. With reference to FIGS. 2-5, the tower assembly in one embodiment may also comprise a third panel (126) having three circular apertures (128) formed thereon, and a fourth panel (122) with four circular apertures (124) formed thereon. In the embodiment of the tower assembly shown in the drawings, the size of each respective aperture decreases as the number of apertures formed on a particular panel of the tower assembly increase. In other words, the single aperture (116) formed on the first panel (104) is larger than either of the two apertures (118) formed on the second panel (102) of the tower assembly. The respective sizes of the apertures formed on the third panel and fourth panel of the tower assembly are likewise decreasingly smaller. However, it should be noted that the numbers, shapes, and sizes of the apertures depicted in the drawings are merely exemplary. Alternate embodiments of the tower assembly may comprise panels having different numbers, shapes, and sizes of apertures than that which is depicted in the drawings appearing herein. Further, the numbers of apertures formed on the panels of alternate embodiments of the tower assembly may increase/decrease in increments of greater than one. For example, some alternate embodiments of the tower assembly may have a first panel with one aperture formed thereon, a second panel with three apertures formed thereon, and so on. Other alternate embodiments may vary the shapes of the apertures from panel to panel of the tower assembly—for example, circular apertures on one panel and square apertures on another panel. All manner of geometric shapes and regular and irregular polygons may be used as apertures in alternate embodiments of the tower assembly including, but not limited to, squares, rectangles, stars, triangles, ovals, etc. The apertures formed on the panels of the tower assembly must be shaped and sized to permit a user to throw a ball or other throwing object through the apertures. Conversely, the balls or other throwing objects used to play the games described below must be shaped and sized to permit a user to throw such balls or other throwing objects through the apertures and into the aforesaid cavity within the hollow tower assembly. In one embodiment, balls that are generally spherical in shape, and constructed of soft material (such as a “hacky sack” bag) may be used in conjunction with the tower assembly in playing the types of games described below. However, it is contemplated that other types of balls and throwing objects of all manner of sizes and shapes, and constructed of various materials, may be utilized when playing games in conjunction with the tower assembly described herein.

In one embodiment, a portable tower assembly (101) for use in ball throwing games includes a three or more connected panels (102, 104, 122, 126), each panel having a top end (106), a bottom end (108), and two lateral edges (120). The three or more connected panels form an enclosure having an interior space defined by respective interior sides of said three or more connected panels, the interior space having a top opening (110) defined by the respective top ends of each of said a three or more connected panels, wherein a different number of apertures are formed on each a respective outer face of each of said three or more connected panels, and wherein a width of each of said three or more connected panels tapers in decreasing width from said respective bottom end to said top end. In one embodiment, each of said three or more connected panels has a flat top end, and at least two of the three or more connected panels are connected via a hinge attached to adjoining said lateral edges of said at least two of said three or more connected panels. In one embodiment, a slot handle is formed on an outer face of at least one of said three or more connected panels, and each of three or more connected panels are connected to one another such that they are inclined inward towards one another.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a perspective view of first (104) and fourth (122) outer panels of the embodiment of the tower assembly for use in ball throwing games depicted in FIG. 1 is shown. The first panel (104) of the tower assembly has a single aperture (116) formed thereon, and the fourth panel (122) of the tower assembly has four apertures (124) formed thereon. During the course of gameplay of the type described below, players may utilize the first large aperture (116) as an access point to retrieve any balls thrown into the cavity of the hollow tower assembly. Alternatively, one or more of the handle slots (112) formed into the panels of the tower assembly may also be used to lift or tilt the tower assembly to allow players to access any balls laying within the cavity. It should be noted that although handle slots are formed on the embodiment of the tower assembly depicted herein, alternate embodiments may utilize other types of handles such as, for example, rigid or flexible handles or straps formed or attached to the panels of the tower assembly, or no handles at all. Handle slots, or other types of handles, may in other alternate embodiments also be formed or attached on positions of the tower assembly other than the positions depicted in the drawings. Alternatively, the raised portions (see FIG. 1 at 108) of the lower portion of the panels of the tower assembly may be used by a player to insert a foot, allowing the player to lift or tilt the tower assembly so that balls can be retrieved, and further play can resume.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a perspective view of the third and fourth outer panels of the embodiment of the tower assembly for use in ball throwing games depicted in FIG. 1 is shown. The third panel (126) of the tower assembly has three apertures (128) formed thereon, and the fourth panel (122) of the tower assembly has four apertures (124) formed thereon. While the embodiment of the tower assembly shown and described herein has four panels, alternate embodiments of the tower assembly may be formed with different numbers of panels. For example, three panels, five panels, etc.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a top view of the embodiment of the tower assembly for use in ball throwing games depicted in FIG. 1 is shown. In one embodiment, the junction of the top edges (111) of the respective panels of the tower assembly together form the top opening (110) of said tower assembly. The top opening allows the tower assembly to be more easily collapsed to facilitate transportation and storage. In some methods of gameplay, as described below, the top opening (110) of the tower assembly may be utilized as a further aperture into which balls may be thrown by players. The dimensions of the top opening can be selected when manufacturing the tower assembly, which at least with respect to the embodiment depicted herein, will depend on the respective lengths of the top edges of the respective panels of the tower assembly.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a bottom view of the embodiment of the tower assembly for use in ball throwing games depicted in FIG. 1 is shown. Each panel of the tower assembly has an interior surface (130) facing the hollow interior of the tower assembly that defines the aforesaid cavity into which players throw balls or other throwing objects during gameplay.

Descriptions of examples of methods for gameplay in conjunction with the above-described tower assembly will now be made with reference to the drawings. Referring now to FIG. 6, a logic flow diagram illustrating one method of playing a ball throwing game in conjunction with the tower assembly described herein is shown. First (602), each player gets four tosses at the side/panel (104) of the tower assembly with one aperture (116). Every made shot (successfully goes through aperture and into cavity) is worth one point (604). Players continue by tossing four shots into 2, 3, and 4-aperture sides/panels around the tower assembly. In each round, the apertures are smaller, and shots become more challenging (606). Every made toss is worth the number of apertures on the side/panel (2, 3, and 4 points respectively) (608). In each round, the player who scored more points on the last side/panel goes first (610). After all four sides/panels have been played, the player with the most points wins the game (612). The foregoing gameplay method is ideally suited for two or more players, and typically takes between five and ten minutes to complete a game.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a logic flow diagram illustrating an alternative method of playing a ball throwing game in conjunction with the tower assembly described herein is shown. First (702), players toss four balls per turn into each aperture, starting with the first side/panel (104). Next, when all apertures on a given side/panel have been made, the player advances to the next side/panel (704). The first player to complete the board by making a throw into every aperture on all four sides/panels wins (706). The foregoing gameplay method is ideally suited for two or more players, and typically takes between ten and twenty minutes to complete a game.

Referring now to FIG. 8, a logic flow diagram illustrating a further alternative method of playing a ball throwing game in conjunction with the tower assembly described herein is shown. First (802), all starting at the same time, unlimited players compete head-to-head on the first (one-aperture) side/panel. Next, the first player to make a shot when the other player misses, is knocked out and goes to the back of the line (804). The player who wins a side/panel moves on to challenge the player on the next side/panel (806). A player wins by advancing all the way to the four-aperture side/panel (122) and winning two head-to-head battles in a row (808). The foregoing gameplay method is ideally suited for five or more players, and typically takes between fifteen and thirty minutes to complete a game.

Referring now to FIG. 9, a logic flow diagram illustrating a further alternative method of playing a ball throwing game in conjunction with the tower assembly described herein is shown. First (902), a player begins the game by calling a shot from anywhere in the yard/area. A shot can be called into a specific side/panel, a specific aperture, or into the top of the tower. If any player makes the called shot, the player(s) who missed the shot get a “letter” (e.g., “H”) (904). If all players make the shot, the shot-caller gets a letter” (906). If a caller makes their shot, they get to call the next shot. If the caller misses, the next player gets a turn to call a shot (908). Once a player has five letters (HORSE), they're eliminated (910). The last player to survive wins the game (912). The foregoing gameplay method is ideally suited for two or more players, and typically takes between ten and thirty minutes to complete a game.

Referring now to FIG. 10, shown are perspective and detailed views of the interior surfaces of the unassembled first panel (1004) and second panel (1002) of a further alternate embodiment of a tower assembly (1001) for use in ball throwing games. In this embodiment of the tower assembly, a plurality of T-shaped male connection tabs (1003) protrude from both lateral edges of the first panel (1004), and a plurality of correspondingly shaped and sized female connection slots (1005) are formed on the interior surfaces of the second panel (1002) adjacent to the respective lateral edges of said second panel as depicted in FIG. 10. The first panel and adjacent second panel are connected to one another by first pressing the T-shaped male connection tabs into a lower rectangular portion (1007) of the female connection slot (1005) that is shaped and sized to receive the tab. Next, a user may slide the second panel in a downward direction (or alternatively, slide the first panel in an upward direction) such that the distal part of the male tab (1003) slides into a narrower upper portion (1009) of the female connection slot (1005). As depicted in FIG. 10, the lower rectangular portion (1007) of the female connection slot (1005) has a greater width than the upper rectangular portion (1009) of the female connection slot. This aspect of the female connection slot, when mated with the male connection tab using the two-step mating process described above, works to connect and securely lock the first and second panel to one another. In some embodiments of the tower assembly, the upper rectangular portion of the female connection slot is an aperture formed from the interior surface of the panel, and through the exterior surface of the panel, such that when the distal part of a male connection tab slides into said upper portion of the female connection slot, said distal part of the male connection tab is visible from the exterior of the connected/assemble panels. By reversing the two-step mating process, the panels can be disconnected/disassembled. Although FIG. 10 depicts three male connection tabs being formed on each lateral edge of the first panel, it is contemplated that other alternate embodiments of the tower assembly may employ greater or fewer numbers of such male connection tabs. Likewise, although FIG. 10 depicts three female connection slots being formed on the interior surface adjacent to the two lateral edges of the second panel, it is contemplated that other alternate embodiments of the tower assembly may employ greater or fewer numbers of such female connection slots. Also, while FIG. 10 depicts male connection tabs formed on the first panel, and female connection slots formed on the second panel, any combination of tabs and slots may be formed on any panels of the tower assembly in alternate embodiments of the tower assembly, so long as when the panels are configured for assembly/connection, each male connection tab on one panel is positioned to align with a corresponding female connection slot formed on an adjacent panel. In fact, in some alternate embodiments, a panel of the tower assembly may have formed thereon both male and female connection tabs and slots, respectively. While the male connection tabs depicted in FIG. 10 are T-shaped, it is contemplated that the male connection tabs in further alternate embodiments of the tower assembly may have other shapes and sizes, and likewise, the female connection slots formed on panels of such alternate embodiments of the tower assembly may have female connection slots with different shapes and sizes adapted to mate with correspondingly sized and shaped male connection tabs.

Referring now to FIG. 11, shown are front views of the exterior surfaces of the respective unassembled first panel (1004), second panel (1002), third panel (1026), and fourth panel (1022) of the further alternate embodiment of a tower assembly for use in ball throwing games as partially illustrated in FIG. 10. A plurality of T-shaped male connection tabs (1003) protrude from both lateral edges of the first panel (1004) and third panel (1026), and a plurality of correspondingly shaped and sized female connection slots (1005) are formed on the respective interior surfaces, and through the exterior surfaces, of the second panel (1002) and fourth panel (1022).

Referring now to FIGS. 12-19, shown are front, rear, side, top, bottom, and perspective views of the further alternate embodiments of an assembled tower assembly for use in ball throwing games as depicted in FIGS. 10-11. The broken lines show the position and shape of optional handle slots that may be formed adjacent to the top of one or more of the respective panels of the tower assembly, and upper portions of the female connection slots formed through one or more panels, having male connection tabs protruding through such slots so as to be visible from the exterior of the assembled tower assembly.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are embraced therein. 

I claim:
 1. A portable tower assembly for use in ball throwing games, the portable tower assembly comprising: a three or more connected panels each having a top end, a bottom end, and two lateral edges, said three or more connected panels forming an enclosure when connected having an interior space defined by respective interior sides of said three or more connected panels, said interior space having a top opening defined by the respective said top ends of each of said a three or more connected panels; wherein a different number of apertures are formed on each an outer face of each of said respective three or more connected panels, wherein a width of each of said three or more connected panels tapers in decreasing width from said respective bottom end to said top end.
 2. The portable tower assembly for use in ball throwing games of claim 1, wherein each of said top ends of said respective three or more connected panels is flat.
 3. The portable tower assembly for use in ball throwing games of claim 1, wherein at least one of said three or more connected panels have one or more T-shaped tabs protruding from said respective two lateral edges.
 4. The portable tower assembly for use in ball throwing games of claim 3, wherein at least one of said three or more connected panels have one or more slots formed on an interior surface thereof, said one or more slots sized and shaped to receive and mate with said T-shaped tabs.
 5. The portable tower assembly for use in ball throwing games of claim 1, wherein each of three or more connected panels are connected to one another such that they are inclined inward towards one another. 